Church leaders must help police shepherd South Africa towards safety against criminals, national police commissioner Bheki Cele said on Tuesday.

Addressing national church leaders in Kempton Park, Cele stressed the importance of "shepherding a pilgrimage towards the attainment of a safer and better South Africa".

In a statement issued after the meeting, his spokesperson Nonkululeko Mbatha highlighted police killings that were perpetrated by criminals that got harboured in communities.

"An attack on police is an attack on the rule of law and democracy," said Cele.

He asked church leaders to lobby their communities against social ills that led to crimes against women and children, such as domestic violence and abductions.

He also said sermons could be used as effective vehicles to emphasise the consequences of various crimes; as well as to provide congregants with information to prevent and speak out against these.

Cele requested the faith groups to "invoke spiritual support" needed by police so they could carry out their duties without fear.